Thousands Visit N.J. Home Hoping To See Virgin Mary

MARLBORO, N.J. - Almost 7,000 people gathered in a man's back yard to wait for a vision of the Virgin Mary.

Joseph Januszkiewicz, a 54-year-old draftsman, says the mother of Jesus has been visiting him for 18 months and recently told him she would visit only on the first Sunday of the month.

Word got around, and the narrow roads to Januszkiewicz's home, 28 miles east of Trenton, became the pathway of the faithful yesterday. People of all ages, many in wheelchairs or leaning heavily on companions, made their way to Januszkiewicz's back yard. Some sought divine intervention to cure physical and spiritual ailments.

They prayed in unison, said the rosary and sang the "Ave Maria." Last night, Januszkiewicz stood before a statue of the Virgin Mary in his back yard, looked into the air and, smiling, dropped to his knees and muttered to no one visible. Januszkiewicz said he was speaking to the Virgin Mary.

Marlboro Township Police Chief Joseph Walker estimated 6,800 to 7,000 people visited the Januszkiewicz back yard last night. It was a boon to farmers, who charged people $5 a car to park in their

fields.