Fr. Paul of HTS
Rock climbing is an excellent sport for physical excellence, mental focus and community-building. Some students may be surprised to learn that some UD faculty and alumni are climbing enthusiasts.
Just down the hill at Holy Trinity Seminary, Fr. Paul Bechter has been rock climbing for about two and a half years. He enjoys both bouldering and belaying, and has gone on several outdoor climbing trips.
Fr. Paul began rock climbing when some fellow priest friends invited him to join them. He was hesitant to take them up on their offer, because, as he said, “I had already judged rock climbing as something I would not enjoy.”
Fortunately that was not the case, and today Fr. Paul is grateful to the friends who kept extending their invitation.
One obstacle that kept Fr. Paul from climbing was his fear of heights. As a kid, he remembers standing at the top of a lighthouse and being afraid of just how high up he was. Fortunately, he was able to begin by bouldering at the gym, which allows the climber to stay closer to the ground. After a few months of climbing, the fear was completely gone and he had conquered his fear of heights. Now Fr. Paul uses this story as a metaphor when mentoring the seminarians in the perpeditic program.
Taking inspiration from JPII’s attitude towards fear, Fr. Paul said, “You have to go at the fear, you can’t avoid it.”
In addition to facing fears, climbing offers a way to grow in human virtues and healthy competition.
Like any sport, there is an opportunity for “spiritual, physical and community benefits. Climbing is worth investing time into, and to do it well.” Fr. Paul has been recognized several times while at the gym. UD students, local parishioners and the occasional stranger who saw his t-shirt with a Bible quote have started up a conversation with him.
Fr. Paul pointed out a connection between climbing and man’s relationship to nature. Climbing allows you the opportunity to overcome nature, and the physical and mental effort is satisfying once you reach the top of the climb. In outdoor climbing, when you pause at the peak, you can take a moment to appreciate the landscape around you and your solitude with God.
Fr. Paul plans to keep climbing for many years to come. He advises that it is important to pace yourself and to remember that you are more capable than you realize in both climbing and prayer.
Fr. Paul Bechter studied physics at UD and played on the golf team; he then went on to Holy Trinity Seminary. After studying in Rome, Fr. Paul returned to Irving, where he is now the director of the perpadutic program at Holy Trinity Seminary.
If you’re a UD student who wants to get into climbing while in school, I would recommend Dyno-Rock Indoor Climbing for both belaying and bouldering. They have great student discounts on Friday nights–for only $12 you get unlimited climbing for the day and a rental harness. Shoes are available to rent, but are not required–you can climb in old sneakers and save the extra money.