Sophia Forchas, the 12-year-old student from Annunciation Catholic School who was shot and nearly killed during the shooting at her school's Mass in August, was released from the hospital on Thursday, October 23.
"Today marks one of the most extraordinary days of our lives! Our beloved daughter, Sophia, is coming home!!" wrote her parents, Tom and Amy Forchas, in an update post on a GoFundMe page for the family.
Sophia was shot in the head on August 27 when a gunman fired into Annunciation Church while the all-school Mass was being celebrated. Two of her classmates, Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed.
Doctors feared in the days after the shooting that Forchas would succumb to her injuries, and her prognosis initially was very grim.
Her parents and doctors called her progress in the hospital a miracle.
"It's only been two months or so since this terrible event," Dr. Walt Galicich, a neurosurgeon who helped care for Sophia, told local media.
"And to see her walking around wanting to go home and go back to school is pretty amazing."
Sophia left the hospital in a limousine, and made stops visiting her doctors at another medical facility before going to see her friends at Annunciation School. Her doctors sang happy birthday to her as she turns 13 on October 25.
Sophia Forchas' parents "overwhelmed with gratitude"
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the remarkable medical professionals whose skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication brought us to this moment," said the statement, thanking Sophia's doctors, neurosurgeons, and rehabilitation therapists during her time in the hospital.
"We thank you from the depths of our hearts. We will never forget your World-class care that sustained her. Your commitment carried us through," she said.
While Sophia has been released from the hospital, she will continue with outpatient therapy and "the road to full recovery remains long," said her parents.
"Yet, our hearts are filled with indescribable joy as we witness her speech improving daily, her personality shining through once more, and her ability to walk, swim, and even dribble a basketball," she said.
"Each step she takes is a living testament to the boundless grace of God and the miraculous power of prayer."
Pope's and Patriarch's prayers
People around the world, including Pope Leo XIV and His All-Holiness Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, publicly prayed for Sophia's recovery. The Forchas family attends a Greek Orthodox parish in Minneapolis.
"Those prayers came from family, friends, and countless souls around the world; many of whom have never met Sophia, yet lifted her spirit with unconditional love," said the Forchases. "Your prayers have been a wellspring of comfort, hope, and healing for our entire family. We are certain that God heard every single one."
Despite the family's "profound joy" at Sophia's homecoming, "our hearts remain tender," said the statement,.
"We continue to pray for those whose lives were tragically lost on that heartbreaking day. May their memory be eternal. We also hold close those who were injured and bear lasting scars, and the families and loved ones forever changed," they said.
"May God grant healing, consolation and His peace to all who grieve. To those whose hearts are hardened in despair, may the grace of the All-Holy Spirit soften them. We pray that the Trinity fill the world with compassion and love."
