The Diocese of Little Rock has launched an innovative method of encouraging vocations: a “signing day,” similar to the kind that is common in professional sports:

Three high school students signed letters of intent last week announcing plans to become seminarians this fall for the Diocese of Little Rock.

On May 8, Catholic High School seniors Stephen Elser and Joseph de Orbegozo signed letters in the high school gymnasium, surrounded by family, local priests, Serra Club members and nearly the entire student body.

The signing of letters of intent continued May 9 during the diocesan-wide Catholic Youth Ministry convention when Brad Charbonneau from St. Jude Parish in Jacksonville signed a letter.

Elser and de Orbegozo both attend Christ the King Church in Little Rock. The three men will attend Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas.

The special signing ceremonies were a first for the diocesan Office of Vocations and Seminarians.

Elser, a musician and Eagle Scout, is the son of Dr. Joseph and Angie Elser of Little Rock. De Orbegozo, a musician and National Hispanic Merit Scholar, is the son of Luis and Madeline de Orbegozo, also of Little Rock. Charbonneau, a senior at Jacksonville High School, is the son of Helen Charbonneau.

The diocese expects to sign seven more seminarians before classes begin in the fall. Currently, the diocese has 27 seminarians, representing a 44-percent increase in the past four years.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, vocation director Msgr. Scott Friend, and their pastor Msgr. Francis I. Malone participated in the CHS ceremony.

Following the signings, the student body erupted in cheers and gave them a standing ovation. Father Bill Elser, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Benton and uncle of Stephen Elser, and Msgr. Malone presented the new seminarians with diocesan shirts and University of Dallas baseball caps.

De Orbegozo and Elser said they were appreciative of the support from their classmates.

“I think it was excellent, I really enjoyed the support they have given us,” de Orbegozo said. “I especially appreciate the fact that, because of what the bishop said, they will consider a vocation.”

De Orbegozo and Elser asked for continued prayers.

“Just seeing all these people here is really amazing,” Elser said. “I did not expect this huge crowd. I did not realize this many people were that supportive of me.”

Both said the decision was one they had prayed about a long time.

“This is a great day for Joseph and Steven and their families, for the diocese,” said CHS vice principal Chuck Ashburn. “It was 1987, the last time we had two young men graduate from Catholic High and go to the seminary. So this is a great day for Catholic High School.”

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PHOTO: Bishop Anthony B. Taylor signs the letters of intent May 8 at Catholic High School in Little Rock making Joseph de Orbegozo (left) and Stephen Elser officially diocesan seminarians.  Photo by Malea Hargett / Arkansas Catholic.