Francis Edward Nouza was born on August 16, 1929 in Chicago to Francis and Martha (Benson) Nouza. He attended St. Lucy's Grammar School and Austin High School, both in Chica go. He then attended college at DePaul University in Chicago and later at Loras College in Dubuque.

Fr. Nouza entered the Dominican Novitiate in 1951 and was given the religious name, Marcolinus. He made his first profession of vows on August 31, 1952 at St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, Minnesota and his solemn profession on August 31, 1955 at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, River Forest, Illinois. He continued his studies for the priesthood in River Forest, Illinois and Dubuque, Iowa. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1958 at St. Rose Priory in Dubuque.

Shortly after his ordination he was assigned to work in California where he spent many years. Fr. Nouza taught high school at St. Vincent Ferrer High School in Vallejo, California. He also served at the following schools: Sacramento State College Newman Center, St. Albert's College, Oakland, San Jose State University, Cabot College, and University of San Francisco. In addition, Fr. Nouza served as chaplain of the Police Officers' Research Association of California and was Executive Director of Problems in Ethics and Policing in California for many years. In 1971 He received an M.S. in Administration of Justice from San Jose State College. He published articles on the moral obligations of citizens toward problems in law enforcement.

Fr. Nouza went on limited service and remained in California for several years before returning to Chicago in 2012 and living at St. Pius V Priory-assisted living center. His health continued to deteriorate, and he was transferred to Resurrection Life Center in 2014. He died peacefully at Resurrection Life Center on February 19, 2015.

Office of the dead and Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in River Forest, Illinois on Monday, March 2, 2015. He was buried at All Saints' Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.