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Courtney Weatherburne reporting
With hands open and raised and voices loud and strong, the mass of thanksgiving for the life of Bishop OP Martin began. And down the aisle, Father Small and others joined in the celebration.

The pews at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Co- Cathedral were all filled yesterday afternoon.

Tents and chairs were set up outside as well to accommodate the huge crowd of teachers, Belmopan residents and guests from all over the country.

Former PUP leader Francis Fonseca strolled in to pay his respects. He was then joined by PUP Leader John Briceno.

Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber as well as Minister of Agriculture Godwin Hulse took their seats early for the special ceremony

Minister of Health Pablo Marin joined in afterwards. While the mass was lively and vibrant with praise songs in different languages.

His family, close friends and those he has impacted through his spiritual journey, sat still and tried to accept the bitterness of his loss.

Bishop Dorick Wright, Celebrant
"I would like to thank everyone who showed their fatherly love for Bishop Martin and I am certain that where he is, he is now happy with them in heaven."

One man who showed love and support to Bishop Martin throughout his life is Meliton Auil. He shared his reflection on the Bishop in the Eulogy.

Meliton Auil, Friend
"He was interviewed by 7newsbelize, one of our local TV stations. Part of his answer to the last question put to him included these words: "We have to pass through the portals of death before we enter into union with God, that will come, that's for sure. As to when, nobody knows that. How? Nobody knows that. But I am satisfied with the way I have responded to the call of God. I feel sure that God is also satisfied the way he responded. I can easily imagine him arriving at the gates of heaven ready to receive his unheeding crown of glory, just as Peter, the first Pope, tell the bishop of his time in his first letter some two thousand year ago.""

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Agriculture
"We are gathered here because in some way Bishop Martin may have touched our lives. Whether that was through baptism or confirmation or confession or marriage or even presiding over the depart of one of our loved ones and whether that be us directly for those of you who are younger Hurricane Hattie or your children. It is fitting then what the famous poet Allende said, that indeed the body dies, but relationship lives on. For the memory of Bishop Martin will live on in our minds."

Pope Representative
"Upon all who mourns Bishop Martin passing, Pope Francis cordially impart his apostolic blessing as a pledge of peace in consolation in the Risen Lord."

With that, the Belizean flag was draped over Bishop Martin's coffin and taken out for burial - his final resting place - right in the grounds of the cathedral he helped build and with the congregation he has blessed and cherished throughout his life.