BAMBAGARI, CESARE NICOLA. — A skilled preacher and ascetical writer, born in Lucca on 13 June 1647, died there on 16 March 1725. At the age of 17 he entered the Canons Regular of the Lateran, and after his profession he continued his studies at S. Pietro in Ciel d’Oro in Pavia. In 1672 he obtained the diploma of preacher, which at that time among the Lateran Canons was equivalent to the present-day degree in theology. He preferred sacred preaching to teaching, and for many years exercised this ministry on the most renowned pulpits of Italy, “with the greatest fruit for souls and honour to the Congregation.” For this reason he was elected (1687) perpetual privileged abbot. In 1708 he became prior of the canons of S. Frediano in Lucca and ordinary of Carrara; in 1711 he was confirmed in office for another three-year term, but the following year he resigned.
He composed various ascetical treatises, including: *Modo d’ora re con vita fede* (dedicated to St Teresa), *Via compendiosa per un’anima che desidera unirsi a Dio*, and *Della frequenza della S.ma Comunione*. He opposed quietism and explained 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 works are gathered in two large volumes, *Opere spirituali* (Lucca 1733–34), preceded by a short biography of the author.