The Spinolas was originated in Italy. Spinola means "thorn". According to tradition their family name was taken after a thorn in the crown of the Lord. The first Spinola came in the18th century named Don Benito Antonio Spinola commander-in-chief of a vessel named "Good Counsel".
       In the 19th century the parents of Marcelo Spinola, Don Juan de Spinola Osorno and Dona Antonia Maestre y Osorno became united in marriage. The couple was blessed with eight children but then only four survived, Soledad the eldest then Marcelo, Rafael and Rosario.
       Marcelo Spinola was born January 14, 1835 in San Fernando Cadiz Spain. He was baptized by the military chaplain of the naval artillery, Fr. Jose Carillo in the church within the naval jurisdiction.
Marcelo learned how to read and write at home like most of the children of his time. He attended a school run by priests and took latin courses and finished it having excellent grades at the age of ten. After 3 years he finished his bachelor's degree. He took the first year in Santo Tomas College in Cadiz with a course in Philosophy. The second year was in Motril because his father wa transferred there and finally he finished his 3rd in Granada where he took Physics, Chemistry and Natural Science. These five years ended with a final examination which won him for the title of Bachelor in Philosophy at the age of 13. He took another year called extended course which was kind of orientation course for further university studies. He was sent then by his father to the University of Valencia. There he was enrolled in the College of Law. His academic records were brilliant and he got the highest ratings in all his subject. It was the family situation which moved him towards that option. At that time he was the only son left because his brother Rafael entered the royal navy. Marcelo felt that he had to stay home and help his father in some way or the other. He practiced law in Huelva. Marcelo became a humble and generous lawyer that he never allowed his clients to thank him with gifts and he serve people without fee. Because of this, poor people used to hide behind the door to meet him by surprise with little gifts to show him their gratitude. He became the defender of the poor and the needy. He was given the title "Lawyer of the Poor".
Marcelo said to his parents" I have pleased you by taking up law, now it's your turn to please me by allowing me to become a priest". Marcelo deep in his heart he was hearing an inner voice calling him to serve God in a new vocation. He knew it well because it was not strange to him. His long awaited priestly vocation arrived at last. It did not arrive with ringing of bells but with exact accuracy and without any effort. It came smoothly as the rising of the sun at dawn and Marcelo understood it well and he was not surprise at all with God's blessing and grace after long searching years. He became a priest at last. He was ordained in May 21, 1864, it was Saturday of pentecost. The officiating bishop was Cardinal Lastra who conferred on Marcelo the sacred orders in the chapel of his Archiepiscopal Palace in Seville. Marcelo's first mass was set for June 3 on the main altar of the church oratorian fathers. During his first mass his brother Rafael was dying in Santo Domingo, Cuba at the Laguna Verde Battle.
        The priestly road of Marcelo Spinola started in Cadiz but it was a short stay because Monsignor Herrero gave the newly ordained priest a post in the Diocesan Chancery where his juridical expertise would be of great help. This was not perhaps an attractive work for Marcelo's spiritual zeal but he accepted it. Later on the unceasing demands of Marcelo's parents, still grieving Rafael's death, made Msgr. Herrero change his mind and he asked Cardinal Lastra a post for the young priest in Sanlucar de Barrameda where his parents were living at that time. The family sorrows still continued with the death of Don Juan on January 1868. Because of this, Fr. Spinola was given the Chaplaincy of our Lady of Mercy so that he could be near his mother.
       When Marcelo was still ministiring as Chaplain of Mercy Church in Sanlucar the cathedral vicar died. A commission from Sanlucar went to Seville to request the archbishop to appoint Marcelo for the post. The cardinal objected but that was only a diplomatic excuse. So Marcelo Spinola became the Parish Priest of San Lorenzo Parish. As parish priest he used to open his church almost at dawn and sit in the confessional box so he could listen to confessions patiently and at length for many hours. He was a very good preacher and a very good confessor that people from far places would come to him to confess.
       Archbishop Lluch had acted in his own peculiar way: He had left on the desk of Fr. Marcelo a letter telling him about his plans of appointing him as auxiliary Bishop. The appointment was approved by Rome and had also been given the royal place. And Marcelo Spinola accepted it. As auxiliary Bishop he did pastoral visits to villages and hamlets. He was caring, humble and loving to anyone that he would do any sacrifices at any instances for all the people he love. Marcelo was also a "peace builder". Being an Archbishop of Seville he worked his best to settle certain misunderstanding and disputes among the members of two sevillian confraternities, he also intervened in a quarrel which was dividing certain persons and families in town.
     Marcelo Spinola was elected by unanimous consensus as Senator of the Kingdom to represent the ecclesiastical province of Granada. Marcelo write letters to his sister Rosario almost everyday about his adventures and his experiences. He use his power to promote justice and to spread the word of God. He also raised a law opposing "Magna Carta" to promote Religion Class.

    Marcelo Spinola was a great writer and a newsman. He do this to defend the right of the people and to promote justice and peace. He wrote "El Correo de Andalucia". He had also done 16,000 handwritten sheets.

     It is true that we do not know for certain when the servant of God started thinking of founding a women's religious congregation. This was written by God simultaneously in two hearts that were to work together for the fulfillment of His will with the timing and tuning that only He knew. That same will of God had traced for them up to that time different paths in life, after his first  priestly ministry in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Fr. Marcelo Spinola had been assigned to Seville where Dona Celia Mendez y Delgado was living at that time.
According to the process and previous to any plans of foundation, there was a certain person highly favored by God who saw a priest and a woman kneeling before the blessed sacrament and ready to work for destitute children and youth.
       Blessed Marcelo Spinoa was titled "The Beggar Archbishop" because he begged from town to town and place to place under the heat of the sun because his town is suffering from a dilemma.
       A lot of titles was given to him and he deserve all those titles. He was a man of great faith. A man that has a strong faith in God and he would die just to promote and spread the word of God.
     Marcelo Spinola died on Januray 19, 1906 because of a disease.

       Blessed Marcelo Spinola really changed my life, because I learned from him how to live simple and with humility. Since I studied in Marcelo Spinola School I learned to live his vision in life and to imitate his way of living, by following the rules of the school and by studying his life. Right now I learned how to be simple and humble even in simple ways. His life made me closer to God, it made me believe that with God nothing is impossible and everything will be perfect. Even in the time that I'm no longer be studying in the school, I will still be doing his way of living by starting in simple ways like giving, promoting justice and peace and to spread the word of God.

      We people can be like him as long as we put God in the center of our life and let God speak in our hearts. Remain faithful in God. We can change the face of the earth as long as we believe that we can do it and "Be like a public fountain where everyone can drink".