It was a special day for Mount Saint Agnes Academy on Tuesday.

Not simply for the impressive fact that it marked the 125th anniversary of the founding of the school by the Sisters of Charity of Halifax.

No, there was a warm feeling — rarely discernible, hardly describable — that permeated the school grounds and touched everyone’s interactions that day.

As an alumnus whose family has attended the school for 75 continuous years, I know the feeling well, and I’ve experienced it on other occasions at high-energy Spirit days, the beloved Ring Masses, and MSA’s pomp and circumstance graduation ceremonies.

The feeling from that day has resonated with me for the past week now, and one of the best descriptions I can provide is that there was an intense sense of community and belonging.

It began in the morning as I was distracted from work as a steady stream of students from Grades 6 to 12 entered my office to find out in which year I graduated. Some did a double-take, while others curtly responded, “Thank you”.

The students were in competition to answer a quiz to see how well they knew MSA. It was the Mass at 10.30am, however, that nearly brought me to tears as I was overcome with emotion.

Perhaps it was the awe-inspiring sight of Sisters Judith and Dolores carrying down the aisle a statue of St Joseph, which was brought over on the Sisters of Charity’s maiden voyage to Bermuda in the winter of 1890, or the incredible attendance of alumni.

An explanation escapes me at this time, but what I can state with certainty is that I felt gratitude for a broader community of parents, alumni, priests, and Christians, who make it possible for each student who passes through MSA’s halls to feel a sense of belonging to something greater than his or her self.

Tuesday was a powerful reminder of this Mount Saint Agnes Academy community that can appropriately be called a family, or as Father Paul so eloquently explained, “Alma Mater, nourishing mother”.

Indeed, MSA has been a nourishing mother for thousands of alumni since 1890 and will continue this mission for thousands more.

• Mr Sinclair is a former student at the school and a present member of staff.