Laura Riccardi Shares Her Journey in "A Thousand Hands But One

Former Catholic chaplain Laura Riccardi has released a memoir titled "A Thousand Hands But One," detailing her journey of faith and the unexpected trial she faced when her husband, Len, was hospitalized during the height of the pandemic. The book, published by A.J. Neal Publishing, recounts years of ministering to the sick and dying, which Riccardi believes prepared her for the ultimate test of her life.

For over a decade, Riccardi served as a hospital chaplain, offering comfort, prayer, and support to patients and their families. Her experiences at the bedside of the sick and dying were, she says, instrumental in shaping her understanding of God's will and the importance of surrender. Despite her years of ministry, Riccardi found herself in a position she never could have anticipated: when her husband fell ill with COVID-19, hospital protocols prevented her from holding his hand during his final days.

"Years of holding the hands of the sick and dying prepared me for the greatest trial of my life," Riccardi writes. "When my husband was hospitalized, the protocols were strict, and I could not be by his side. It was a profound moment of realization that in our humanity, we are limited, but God's grace remains."

The memoir delves into the stories Riccardi shared with patients and their families, exploring the spiritual lessons she learned along the way. According to Cynthia Zack, composer and host of Mary, Mother and Queen of the Divine Will on Radio Maria, the book "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."

A Benedictine monk and priest with over 50 years of experience, who asked to remain anonymous, echoed this sentiment. "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 journey is marked by a deepening faith and a renewed appreciation for the role of surrender in one's life. "Where human hands fall away, God's grace remains," she writes, reflecting on her own experiences and those of the patients she served. The book is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the unexpected ways in which life can prepare us for its most profound challenges.

"A Thousand Hands But One" is now available in paperback and ebook editions through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers. Riccardi's rich background, including her eighteen years of formation with the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, fifteen years as an RCIA catechist, and five years as cohost of Radio Maria's Mary, Mother and Queen of the Divine Will, adds depth and authenticity to her narrative.