José Bernardo Sánchez

Father José Bernardo Sánchez (September 7 1778 – January 15 1833) was a Spanish missionary to the Americas.

Born in Robledillo, Old Castile, Spain, he became a Franciscan on October 9 1794 and joined the missionary College of San Fernando de Mexico in 1803. He traveled on to California the next year where he worked at the following missions:

* Mission San Diego de Alcalá (1804-1820)
* Mission La Purísima Concepción (1820-1821)
* Mission San Gabriel Arcángel (1821-1827)

In 1806, as chaplain, Father Sánchez accompanied a military expedition against the natives. In 1821, with "Father-Prefect" Mariano Payeras he went with an exploring expedition into the interior to search for new mission sites. From 1827 to 1831 he reluctantly held the position of "Presidente" of the California mission chain and of "Vicáreo Foraneo" to the bishop. He was a very pious and energetic missionary, but dreaded the office of superior. His incessant appeals for relief were at last granted, but he survived only two years. During the winter of 1826-1827 he hosted the party of United States explorer, Jedediah Smith, while they dealt with "Jefe Político" (governor) José María Echeandía.

During his term he vigorously opposed the federal government's secularization scheme, which was strongly supported by Governor Echeandia. In a long series of critical notes he claimed that the plan would result in the destruction of the missions and the ruin of the neophytes. "As far as it concerns me personally"," he wrote, "...would that it might be tomorrow, so that I might retire between the four walls of a cell to weep over the time I wasted in behalf of these unfortunates"." It has been said that the sight of the inevitable ruin hastened his death. His remains were buried at the foot of the altar of San Gabriel Mission.