CHARLESTON, S.C. — Vice President Biden paid a surprise visit to services Sunday morning at Emanuel AME Church here, telling congregants that he came to support them and to help get through his own mourning.

"My family and I wanted to show our solidarity," Biden said during five minutes of remarks.

Standing next to one of the church's pastors, he also acknowledged, "But to be selfish about it, Reverend, the reason we came was to draw some strength from all of you, to draw some strength from the church."

His remarks echoed a sentiment shared throughout the country by those who have been moved by how Emanuel AME members here have reacted to an unspeakable tragedy. On June 17, nine people were fatally shot during a Bible study at the church, and police have charged a 21-year-old avowed white supremacist with the killings.

The vice president arrived with his son Hunter and his daughter-in-law Kathleen. He spoke about his anguish since the death of his son Beau from brain cancer last month. Biden said he wished there was something he could say to ease the pain of the families of the nine victims.

"But I know from experience — and I was reminded of it again 29 days ago — that no words can mend a broken heart. No music can fill the gaping void," Biden said. "At least in my experience, only faith, only faith, and sometimes — as all the preachers in here know — sometimes even faith leaves you, just for a second, sometimes you doubt."

He talked about how he prays the rosary and wears rosary beads around his wrist to help him through such moments.

"There's a famous expression that says, 'Faith sees best in the dark,' " Biden said. "And for the nine families, this is a very dark, dark time."