BAMBACARI, CESARE NICOLA. - An able preacher and ascetical writer, born at Lucca on 13 June 1647, died there on 16 March 1725. At the age of seventeen he entered the Lateran Canons Regular and, after religious profession, continued his studies at S. Pietro in Ciel d'oro in Pavia. In 1672 he obtained the diploma of preacher, then equivalent among the Laterans to the present-day degree in theology. He preferred sacred preaching to teaching, and for many years exercised it from the most renowned pulpits of Italy “with the greatest benefit to souls and honour to the Congregation.” For this reason he was elected perpetual privileged abbot (1687). In 1708 he became prior of the canonry of S. Frediano in Lucca and ordinary of Carrara; in 1711 he was confirmed in office for another three-year term, but resigned the following year.
He composed several ascetical treatises, including: Modo d'orare con viva fede (dedicated to St Teresa), Via compendiosa per un'anima che desidera unirsi a Dio, and Della frequenza della S.ma Comunione. He combated Quietism and expounded the true principles concerning the union of the soul with God; he admitted infused contemplation. The treatise on frequent Communion (Lucca, 1700) is one of the most complete published at that time. The aforementioned writings are collected in two substantial volumes, Opere spirituali, Lucca, 1733–34. They are preceded by a brief biography of the author.