Tim Oberholzer

Tim Oberholzer is Executive Director of the Center for Benedictine Life. In addition to managing the operations of the CBL, Tim facilitates in-person retreats and on-line programs. Tim also accompanies others as a spiritual director.

Tim spent five and a half years as a Trappist monk at New Melleray Abbey in Peosta, Iowa. Deep prayer and reflection led him to leave the community prior to making solemn profession. He moved to Idaho to be closer to his parents, discovering the Monastery of St. Gertrude through a job posting for the innkeeper position at the Inn at St. Gertrude.

Tim earned a business degree from the University of Notre Dame, studied philosophy and theology at the University of St. Thomas, and completed the Stewards of the Mystery spiritual direction training program.

Tim is a widower remarried, a committed runner, and an avid reader.

Upcoming Programs by Tim Oberholzer

The Letter : An Intimate Pilgrimage

Also With Cheryl Johnson

October 27 - 31, 2026

On this pilgrimage we will accompany each other on this personal road to Emmaus. We will begin by finding one “person” (family member, friend, colleague, Saint, God, pet, tree, animal, house, strangers within and without, etc) with whom we will explore on pilgrimage. We will address our letters to this person. By the end of our pilgrimage, each retreatant will leave with a stack of letters. Perhaps, ready for mailing or for storing or for continuing the journey. Each day we will explore a variety of ways to write these letters--expressing gratitude, forgiveness, discord, healing—whatever surfaces and asks for attention.