Omaha: A newly created icon depicting St. Bridget of Sweden, mystic, wife and mother of eight, is drawing attention for its rich symbolism and its powerful message on the sanctity of marriage and family life. The icon, commissioned by FOCCUS Marriage Ministries to mark its 40th anniversary, offers a rare visual reflection on family as a âdomestic church,â a theme deeply rooted in Catholic teaching.
FOCCUS, a Catholic organization dedicated to marriage preparation and enrichment, selected St. Bridget as the patron saint of its anniversary year because of her extraordinary witness to married life, motherhood and faith. However, the commission presented a unique challenge: there is no traditional iconographic model of St. Bridget of Sweden. To address this, priest-iconographer Fr. Richard Reiser undertook the task of creating an entirely new icon, drawing from prayer, historical research and creative theological reflection.
Fr. Reiser described iconography as a form of prayer rather than mere artistic expression. He explained that the process involved deep contemplation and attentiveness to God, allowing the life and holiness of St. Bridget to emerge through layers of colour, symbol and form. The resulting icon places marriage and family at its centre, reflecting both the saintâs personal journey and FOCCUSâs mission.
Now displayed in the FOCCUS offices of the Archdiocese of Omaha, the icon incorporates a quotation from Pope Benedict XVI on the family as the domestic church. It also includes multiple visual elements that narrate the shared life of St. Bridget and her husband, Ulf Gudmarsson, highlighting marriage as both a covenant of grace and a lived witness to the Gospel.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the iconâs creation was Fr. Reiserâs consultation of historical records including the skeletal remains of Gudmarsson to ensure authenticity. From these records, he learned that Bridgetâs husband was physically taller than she was. To preserve historical accuracy while underscoring Bridgetâs spiritual prominence, the icon places her on a small set of steps, making her the visual and theological focal point.
The icon also portrays symbols from the coupleâs spiritual journey. Gudmarsson is shown holding a staff adorned with a shell, referencing their pilgrimage to northwestern Spain the final journey they undertook together before his illness and death. The emblem of the Third Order Franciscans, which the couple joined after marriage, is also included. After becoming a widow, St. Bridget devoted herself entirely to Christ and went on to found the Bridgettine Order, which continues to serve the Church today.
In keeping with iconographic tradition, Fr. Reiser emphasized that icons are âwrittenâ rather than painted, as every line and colour conveys theological meaning. Beneath St. Bridget are 15 floral motifs, symbolizing her meditations on Christâs Passion. Her cloak bears a brooch representing the five wounds of Christ, within which a relic of St. Bridget has been placed.
Depicting Bridget with her children posed another challenge, as there is no established icon tradition portraying her family. To overcome this, Fr. Reiser studied family-centred icons, particularly images of Christ with children, to portray the figures authentically. The children are arranged in a circular formation, symbolizing unity and mutual love within the family. One child, Ingeborg, holds bluebells the national flower of Sweden anchoring the icon in Bridgetâs homeland.
FOCCUS leaders say the icon reflects the very heart of their ministry. Known for its marriage inventories that help couples engage in meaningful conversations about finances, values and expectations, FOCCUS is now expanding its resources to support couples facing unique circumstances, including those seeking marriage convalidation, couples marrying later in life, military families, first responders and deacons.
According to FOCCUS leadership, many couples describe the programme as transformative not because it dictates solutions, but because it helps partners truly listen to one another. With St. Bridget of Sweden as its patron and this new icon as a visual theology of family life, the ministry hopes to continue guiding couples toward deeper unity, faith and resilience.
As Fr. Reiser noted, the icon is more than artwork. It is a spiritual meditation that invites viewers to contemplate the sacredness of marriage and the enduring holiness found in everyday family life.