Our Lady of the Prairie: From a Rangiora Studio to the Heart of Minnesota

In early 2024, The Studio of Saint Philomena received a unique commission: to create a sacred image for the Diocese of New Ulm in the United States. The request came directly from Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, who had been recently appointed to lead the rural Midwestern diocese. Moved by the beauty of the expansive prairie lands and inspired by the Blessed Mother’s role as a beacon of hope, Bishop Zielinski expressed a desire to rededicate the diocese to Mary, under the title Our Lady of the Prairie.

The commission brought artist Damien Walker on a journey that spanned both land and spirit. Before lifting a brush, Damien travelled from his studio in Rangiora, New Zealand, to the prairies of Minnesota. There, he visited parishes, historical sites, and landmarks significant to the region’s identity. This pilgrimage through the diocese helped shape a nuanced understanding of the area’s cultural, historical, and spiritual depth, including its Native American and Western European heritage.

A detailed close-up of Our Lady of the Prairie, capturing the serenity and strength of Mary’s face, hand-painted by Damien Walker in the Studio of Saint Philomena, New Zealand.

Back in New Zealand, the painting process began. Rooted in centuries-old sacred art tradition, Damien’s approach mirrors the practice of iconographers: prayer and fasting accompanied the painting at every stage. Using thin, translucent glazes, techniques drawn from Renaissance masters, he built layer upon layer, infusing the work with both technical precision and theological meaning.

The result is Our Lady of the Prairie, a striking, full-scale image that captures Mary as luminous and immovable. She radiates strength and gentleness, firmly grounded yet always guiding toward Christ. Her gaze is tender, her presence bold. The Christ Child, held in her arms, is portrayed not as fragile but as enthroned wisdom, the Eternal Word who meets us in time and culture.

The painting was completed and packed on 13 May 2025, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, and travelled over 13,000 kilometers to reach its permanent home in New Ulm. It now stands as both a symbol of hope for the faithful and a powerful visual catechesis, an icon not only of Mary, but of the Church's enduring mission across continents and centuries.

As Bishop Zielinski reflected: “There’s a lot of hope with this image. There’s a lot of strength because she’s very strong, but there’s a gentleness, too. It is my hope that this artwork will spark deeper faith and devotion in our diocese for generations to come.”

Learn more about the symbolism of Our Lady of the Prairie here...

Watch the story behind Our Lady of the Prairie, from its inspiration in the prairies of Minnesota to its creation in a small New Zealand studio.