1,000 Hear Final Message From Vision Of Virgin Mary

CONYERS, Ga. - Amid gasps and scattered applause from a rapt crowd of 100,000 people, Nancy Fowler yesterday read her final public message from the Virgin Mary.

Fowler claimed that Mary had visited her earlier yesterday inside her small farmhouse about 30 miles east of Atlanta.

"If you are worried about the future, put not your attention to these matters," Fowler read from handwritten notes. "The future holds no concern to those who truly seek God and love him and remain in his favor."

From October 1990 to May 1994, Fowler delivered the messages on the 13th of each month. Then she announced that the Virgin Mary would appear with a public message only once a year on Oct. 13.

The crowd has steadily increased over the years, swelling the town of 60,000. Fowler announced a year ago that this year's public message would be the last.

"My crowning words are to be holy, to be witnesses and to walk in my faith," Fowler told the throng, most of whom were women. "I love you all, my dear children."

Fowler, whose visions have not been endorsed by the local Catholic hierarchy, said Mary told her she would not be permitted to visit with her again in the way she has since 1990.

"She, being the loving mother she is, reassured me that she would always remain with me," said Fowler, who would not give a reason why the messages were ending. "Just as she reassured me she would always remain with all of you."

For the most part, the crowd was quiet and attentive while Fowler read for 30 minutes.

People fell to their knees, gasped and clapped when Fowler said that a multitude of souls accompanied Mary in her vision. She said the souls were in purgatory but were being released into heaven in honor of Mary.

Fowler attracts many visitors from Mexico to hear her messages.

"We in Mexico and Latin America believe in the power of Maria, and that's the only thing that can unify us," said Christina Peschard, who traveled to Conyers with her sister and mother from Zacatecas, Mexico.

Some of the faithful said their cameras caught images of Mary along with strange colors and shapes emanating from the sun.

"I come because of all the miracles I have experienced," said Angie Moogalin of Chester, Va., clutching a photo of Fowler's house with another shape she claims is a door above the house. "I've seen different lights and different images. There's just a feeling of holiness here."