In a memoir that speaks to the heart of human suffering and divine grace, former Catholic chaplain Laura Riccardi shares how her years of ministering to the sick and dying prepared her for the greatest trial of her life. 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 a woman who held countless hands at bedsides, only to find herself unable to hold the one hand she most cherished—that of her husband, Len, as he died alone during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Riccardi's memoir, released on September 8, 2026, is more than a personal account. It is a spiritual testament to the power of surrender to God's will, a lesson she learned through years of chaplaincy and then in the crucible of personal tragedy. Rigid hospital protocols kept her separated from Len as he became gravely ill, forcing her to confront the ultimate test of faith: trusting God when every human instinct cried out for control.
The book draws on stories from Riccardi's seven years as a hospital chaplain, where she offered prayer, comfort, and Christ's presence to patients at their most vulnerable moments. Those encounters, she reveals, were quietly preparing her for what was to come. As she ministered to others, she was unknowingly being shaped for a surrender she never expected.
"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.
A Benedictine monk and priest of more than 50 years, who has known Riccardi for many years and asked to remain anonymous, added, "A Thousand Hands But One is more than a memoir. It is a testimony to the grace of surrender—to trusting God when the path ahead is uncertain."
Riccardi's life has been one of deep Catholic formation. She spent eighteen years in formation with the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, fifteen years as an RCIA catechist, 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.
The book's title captures its central message: where human hands fall away, God's grace remains. In a time when many face isolation, loss, and uncertainty, Riccardi's story offers a beacon of hope. It is heartbreaking yet hope-filled, a narrative of love, loss, and trust in God's will that resonates beyond any single faith tradition.
A Thousand Hands But One is available in paperback and ebook editions through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers. For more information, visit www.athousandhandsbutone.com.
Published by A.J. Neal Publishing, an independent company based in Jackson, New Jersey, the memoir joins a catalog of original works that entertain, challenge, and inspire. Founded by author Christopher Holl, A.J. Neal Publishing is dedicated to bringing distinctive stories and ideas to readers.
In a world that often avoids the subject of death, Riccardi's memoir confronts it head-on, offering a pathway through grief and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, grace abounds. Her story is a call to surrender—not as defeat, but as the ultimate act of trust.
