“I can’t tell you how much prayer worked in this whole situation,” said Manfredonia. “Our prayers were answered and that’s a blessing,” she said.

Kathy and Joe Quigley, Olivia’s parents, expressed their praise and gratitude to everyone at EBCC.

“From the emergency room to the floor, we were in awe at East Boston Catholic, at what a wonderful job they have done. The teachers are true heroes,” said Kathy Quigley.

Cardinal O’Malley called Olivia’s story a “miracle” and stressed its importance as a lesson to the Greater Boston community showing that, he said, “A terrible tragedy can be avoided by a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of skill and the initiative to be able to step into the breach at a moment of crisis.”

“The right people were there at the right time, they knew what to do,” he said. “I hope that it’s galvanizing teachers and others throughout the city to prepare themselves.”

Olivia said she was looking forward to playing on her computer and hopes to become a doctor one day “to help people” because of “all of the people saved me and got me better,” she said.