Dear Claire:

Yes, it is a practice that is nearly universal in the United States.

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has given guidelines based upon liturgical law why we are not to go forward to receive a blessing in lieu of the Blessed Sacrament in response to a letter sent to them (Protocol No. 930/08/L), dated November 22, 2008, signed by Father Anthony Ward, SM, Under-secretary of the Congregation):

1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.

2. Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia deMysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).

3. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.

4. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.

5. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. (my emphasis) This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).

The Congregation appears to be studying the issue, but in the meantime this practice of people coming forward to receive a blessing is illicit.

The priest's blessing at the end of Mass includes everyone present thus there is no need to present oneself in the communion line for a blessing.

Personally, I think one reason this illicit practice began and flourishes is that liberals did not want to single out those not receiving and thought it was more compassionate for them to avoid the embarrassment of remaining in their pew.

We should never feel embarassed by remaining in our pew, nor should be judge anyone who does so. If we do feel embarassed consider it mortification and an act of humilty. St. Francis deSales says, "An ounce of humilty is worth more than a thousand pounds of honor."

When I am not receiving I remain in my pew, even if I am in full monastic habit. Believe me I am noticed. Remaining in the pew is an act of great respect for our Lord when we are not receiving and a great witness to the community.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary