Before starting prayers

[crystal_waters]

Should we pray an act of contrition before our prayers each time we pray eg morning and evening prayers etc

 

[asia53]

Should we pray an act of contrition before our prayers each time we pray eg morning and evening prayers etc

I pray an Act of Contrition before starting morning prayers.

Also, I keep a small bottle of holy water at my desk(where I pray), I put a drop on my finger, then pray–

“By this holy water, and by Thy precious blood, wash away all my sin, O Lord, and relieve the souls in purgatory.”, then make the sign of the cross. I do this at church, too.

 

[MaryT777]

It’s certainly not necessary but by all means do so if you so wish.
Mary.

 

[Della]

Should we pray an act of contrition before our prayers each time we pray eg morning and evening prayers etc

If you are referring to the Liturgy of the Hours, then no, it’s not necessary. The Act of Contrition is fine, of course, but unless one is conscience of any particular sin(s) that need confessing, I think it could lead to scrupulosity.

 

[hazcompat]

If alone…

OPEN my mouth, O Lord, that I may bless thy holy name. Cleanse my heart from all vain, evil and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding, enkindle my affections, that I may worthily recite this Office with attention and devotion, and may worthily be heard before the presence of thy Divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

[Della]

If alone…

OPEN my mouth, O Lord, that I may bless thy holy name. Cleanse my heart from all vain, evil and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding, enkindle my affections, that I may worthily recite this Office with attention and devotion, and may worthily be heard before the presence of thy Divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen

That prayer is one of a pair for praying before and after the offices. I’ve use this pair of prayers before and after praying the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is now integrated into the LOTH. The one you cited is called The Aperi Domine. Here is the closing prayer (older translation):

The Sacrosanctae: Or Act of Atonement After the Office

All: To the most holy and undivided Trinity, to the humanity of our crucified Lord Jesus Christ, to the fruitful purity of the most blessed and glorious Mary ever Virgin, and to the company of all the saints, be everlasting praise, honor, power, and glory rendered by every creature; and to us be given the remission of all our faults for all eternity. Amen.

O. Blessed womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.

A. And blessed breasts which nursed the Christ, Our Lord.

All say the Our Father and Hail Mary in silence.

 

[hazcompat]

ACROSÁNCTÆ et indivíduæ Trinitáti, crucifíxi Dómini nostri Jesu Christi humanitáti, beatíssimæ et gloriosíssimæ sempérque Vírginis Maríæ fôcúndæ integritáti, et
ómnium Sanctórum universitáti sit sempitérna laus, honor, virtus et glória ab omni creatúra, nobísque remíssio ómnium peccatórum, per infiníta
sãcula sæculórum.

R. Amen.

V. Beáta víscera Maríæ Vírginis, quæ portavérunt ætérni Patris Fílium.
R. Et beáta úbera, quæ lactavérunt Christum Dóminum.
V. Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.

Pater noster. Ave María.

CLEMENTÍSSIME Jesu, grátias ago tibi ex toto corde meo. Propítius esto mihi vilíssimo peccatóri. Ego hanc actiónem óffero divíno Cordi tuo emendándam atque perficiéndam, ad laudem et glóriam sanctíssimi nóminis tui et beatíssimæ Matris tuæ, ad salútem ánimæ meæ totiúsque Ecclésiæ tuæ.

R. Amen.

Peace