Sophia Forchas / GoFundMe
Twelve-year-old Sophia Forchas, who was severely injured in the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, has been making steady progress in recovery and is expected to be moved this week from acute care at Hennepin Healthcare to an inpatient rehabilitation program, her family announced Sept. 22.
“Sophia is winning!” her family said at the beginning of the statement, which comes several weeks after Sophia was hospitalized Aug. 27 from suffering a gunshot wound to the head. She was in critical condition for two weeks, and the hospital upgraded her condition to serious Sept. 10, as CatholicVote previously reported.
Pope Leo XIV and Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew have prayed for the victims of the shooting, as have many others around the world, the Forchas family noted in the Sept. 22 statement.
“On behalf of our entire family, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone near and far, for the continued prayers, the outpouring of love, and the tremendous support for our precious Sophia,” they said. “Your prayers have been powerful. Sophia surviving this horrific attack is a miracle. Her healing progress is nothing short of miraculous; an undeniable testament to the mercy and intervention of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The family said they are daily discovering new moments and circumstances that have contributed to Sophia’s survival and chance of recovery.
“There are simply too many to be dismissed as coincidence,” the Forchas family said. “God has heard our prayers and wrapped Sophia in His healing embrace.”
The family said Sophia’s doctors are “cautiously optimistic” and Sophia is making “steady progress, showing promising signs of neurological recovery.”
CatholicVote previously reported that doctors had to remove half of Sophia’s skull due to swelling, and she has endured several other surgeries, according to KFOX14.
The family said Sept. 22 that Sophia’s next recovery steps will include significant therapy, adding, “her resilience continues to inspire hope at every step.”
“Sophia is strong, brave, and unwavering in her fight toward healing,” they said. “We ask that you continue to pray for her as she walks this road to recovery.”
They expressed gratitude to God, noting that Sophia’s recovery progress is by His will. They also emphasized thanks to the hospital staff, extended family, the Orthodox Church, the Annunciation school members, friends, “and the many strangers who have become prayer warriors for Sophia.”
“Please continue to pray,” they urged. “Pray for peace and when you pray, move your feet. Let us worship God together and walk forward in Faith, Hope, and Love. Together we can create a better tomorrow.”
