Michael Strode

Michael Strode (5 June 1923 - 27 December 2019) was a doctor and Cistercian monk who founded the charity HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust. 
In 2021, a campaign was begun advocating for his canonisation, which is preparing for an official cause of canonisation to be opened five years after his death.
==Life==
Michael Strode was born 5 June 1923 in Woking, Surrey. He attended the Old Malthouse Preparatory School between 1932 and 1937, and studied at Haileybury College until 1941. He was accepted to train at St Thomas's Medical School in 1941, graduating in 1946 with a MB-BS from London University to become a doctor. 
During this time, Strode became increasingly attracted to the Catholic faith, and was received into the Catholic Church on 15 September 1945. He served as Junior Medical Officer from November 1946 until he was called to do National Service in 1947. He joined the Navy as a Surgeon Lieutenant in the RNVR. He contracted pulmonary tuberculosis whilst doing his National Service.
In 1951, Michael Strode went on his first pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Archdiocese of Birmingham. He returned in 1954 taking a group of children with his friend Peter Keevney. In 1956, he founded HCPT, a charity dedicated to taking sick and disabled children to Lourdes on a pilgrimage holiday. He described this as an opportunity for children to have a "life-changing holiday" with Our Lady. The first pilgrimage would take place the following year. Strode's initiative included ensuring the children were treated as guests instead of patients, to ensure a truly memorable experience. 
In 1975, in recognition of his work, he was enrolled in the Order of Saint Gregory, as a Knight of Saint Gregory. He received this award at the opening of Hosanna House, the villa opened by HCPT in Bartres. He acted as the Chief Medical Officer for the charity until 1990. In 1991, he took vows as an oblate of the Cistercian Order, and became a full Cistercian monk in 1998. He lived the next years at Caldey Abbey.
His final pilgrimage to Lourdes with HCPT was in 2013. In 2016, he was admitted to a care home in Cardiff, and died there on 27 December 2019. The Abbot of Caldey described Brother Michael Strode as someone with a "unique humanity" and recognition for the value of human life, and who has given testimonies to advocate for Strode's possible canonisation.
==Legacy==
HCPT continues to take those with disabilities and sicknesses to Lourdes each year, with Easter pilgrimages taking children and summer pilgrimages for adults. The charity was once described by Archbishop Basil Hume as the "church's best kept secret".
The impact of his work, as well as the virtues of his life have led to a campaign for the canonisation of Michael Strode. This was launched by Archbishop Leo Cushley.
Whilst the canonisation cause cannot be opened officially until five years after his death, the campaign has begun gathering testimonies, and has the backing of the Archdiocese of Cardiff. The campaign has been led by the Committee for Brother Michael's Cause (CBMC). The Committee is gathering testimonials to celebrate Michael's sanctity.
On 3 June 2023, a Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Mark O'Toole at Westminster Cathedral to celebrate Brother Michael Strode's "vocation and legacy". He was described at the Mass as a "holy man". A portrait was published at the same time, produced by an artist with links to HCPT.
The book by John Wolff, Who Are You Looking For?, was published in 2023 exploring Brother Michael's charism.
Category:1923 births
Category:People from Surrey
Category:British people
Category:Cistercians
Category:Physicians