In a time when the Covid-19 pandemic separated countless families, former Catholic chaplain Laura Riccardi experienced a loss that tested her faith in ways she never imagined. Her new memoir, A Thousand Hands But One: How GOD Prepared a CATHOLIC Chaplain For the Surrender She Never Expected, published by A.J. Neal Publishing, tells the story of how her years of ministering to the sick and dying prepared her for the one hand she could not hold—that of her husband, Len, who died alone in the hospital under rigid protocols.
Riccardi spent years at the bedsides of patients, offering prayer, comfort, and what she describes as Christ's presence. Those encounters, she writes, quietly prepared her for her own trial. When Len was hospitalized during the pandemic, she found herself on the other side of the hospital curtain, unable to be with him as he became gravely ill. The book's central lesson is surrender to God's will—a theme that resonates far beyond her personal story.
"This is a story of spousal love both on earth and as the Bride of Christ—a story for every soul seeking understanding of God's eternal plan, with lessons for us as a people and as a nation," said Cynthia Zack, composer and host of Mary, Mother and Queen of the Divine Will on Radio Maria. The memoir is more than a personal account; it is a testimony to trusting God when the path ahead is uncertain. A Benedictine monk and priest of more than fifty years, who has known Riccardi and asked to remain anonymous, called it "a testimony to the grace of surrender."
The book's significance lies in its timing and message. As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of a pandemic that isolated the dying and their loved ones, Riccardi's story offers a raw and hope-filled reflection on faith in the face of helplessness. It speaks to anyone who has struggled to understand suffering and divine purpose. The memoir is available in paperback and ebook through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers.
Riccardi's background lends depth to her narrative. She has eighteen years of formation with the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, fifteen years as an RCIA catechist, seven years as a hospital chaplain, and five years cohosting Radio Maria's Mary, Mother and Queen of the Divine Will. She is also an award-winning former teacher, mother of four, and longtime homeschooling mom. Her life has been steeped in service and spiritual formation, making her account of surrender both credible and compelling.
A.J. Neal Publishing, based in Jackson, New Jersey, describes itself as an independent publisher dedicated to distinctive stories and ideas. Founded by author Christopher Holl, the company's titles span fiction, satire, memoir, faith, culture, and family. A Thousand Hands But One joins works such as The Kano, The Teacher, & The Lola: A Filipino-American Fable and Life Lessons From The Chocolate Factory. The publisher's website, www.ajnealpublishing.com, provides more information. The book's own site, www.athousandhandsbutone.com, offers additional details.
Ultimately, A Thousand Hands But One is a story of love, loss, and trust. It bears witness to the message that where human hands fall away, God's grace remains—a message that continues to hold profound implications for individuals and a nation seeking healing.
