Juan Gutierrez — St. Pier Giorgio Frassati

In September 2017, Juan Gutierrez—then a seminarian at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, California—tore his Achilles tendon playing basketball. An MRI confirmed the injury; his doctor recommended surgery. Gutierrez prayed a novena to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. A few days in, while praying alone before the tabernacle, he felt intense warmth around his injured foot. He was able to walk normally again. When he returned to his orthopedic surgeon, the surgeon confirmed the tear that had shown on the MRI was gone—and told him this was unheard of for that type of injury. Msgr. Robert Sarno, former official of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, was teaching at the seminary when Gutierrez approached him; Sarno initiated the canonical investigation. Pope Francis recognized the miracle November 25, 2024. Frassati was canonized September 7, 2025. Gutierrez, now Fr. Juan Gutierrez, is an associate pastor in Los Angeles and has given press conferences about the healing.

The healing was documented by imaging: MRI confirmed the tear before the novena; the surgeon confirmed it had disappeared afterward. Achilles tendon tears do not heal without surgery or prolonged immobilization—spontaneous resolution within days is medically unprecedented. Archbishop José Gomez stated: 'His healing was a miracle. His doctors could not explain it.' The beneficiary attended the canonization and has spoken publicly. The Vatican Dicastery for the Causes of Saints approved the miracle after medical review. Sources: Catholic News Agency, National Catholic Register, Word on Fire, Archdiocese of Los Angeles.