By JP Misheff, September 8, 2025
Earlier this summer, Saint John’s diocesan neighbor to the south — New Ulm — revealed a commissioned icon of their patroness, Our Lady of the Prairie. The life-sized image painted by Damien Walker, of New Zealand, is permanently installed at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, in New Ulm. The icon was commissioned by newly-appointed Bishop Chad Zielinski who was moved by the serene landscape of his diocese.
Serenity is the word to describe the image, in which Our Lady has an expression of complete faith and readiness to serve the people of the prairie. The child Jesus’ face is set with eyes of bold determination. The two are depicted standing atop a blue watery chasm, representing the Minnesota river; on the left, St Peter’s Basilica and the Cathedral of St. Paul in Minneapolis, and on the right, images of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, aside images of prairie homes and teepees, an homage to the indigenous of this land.
See expanded descriptions of the painting at the DNU’s website here.
See a special prayer to Our Lady of the Prairie below.
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is located at:
605 N State St, New Ulm, MN 56073
