Becoming ‘men and women for others’

As an old boy of St Ignatius College in Enfield, north London, Edward Badu is steeped in the values of Jesuit education. And he doesn’t just pay lip service to them – they still shape everything he does in his professional and personal life. ‘Teach us, Lord, to serve you as you deserve’ is a prayer to be lived out daily as well as spoken, as he tells the Things I Wish I Knew podcast.

What does it mean to become ‘a man for all’? It is a question that invites reflection not only on personal identity, but on vocation – the unique and evolving call to serve others with love, integrity and purpose. The latest episode of the Things I Wish I Knew podcast explores this question through the story of Edward Badu, a young man whose journey from Tottenham to public life is rooted in a deep commitment to faith and justice.

Edward’s life presents a compelling example of how faith, when formed and nurtured in the context of community, can become the foundation for social engagement. Raised in Tottenham, a part of north London often associated with economic struggle and limited opportunity, he grew up surrounded by the everyday realities of injustice. High unemployment, a lack of accessible services and frequent media misrepresentation were part of the backdrop to his early life.

Rather than being numbed by these experiences, Edward became increasingly aware of their significance. His surroundings raised fundamental questions: why are some communities consistently under-resourced? Why do some voices go unheard? And what kind of responsibility arises from being present in such a place?

One formative influence came through his education at a Jesuit secondary school for boys. The school’s ethos, especially the invitation to become ‘a man for others’, offered a different lens through which to view his experience. It suggested that leadership is not about status, but about service, and that solidarity with the marginalised is not optional but essential. These were not just abstract values; they were made real through the relationships, teachers and spiritual practices that shaped his school years.

A turning point came during the 2011 Tottenham riots, a moment of deep pain and tension in the local community. While much of the national conversation focused on the violence, Edward began to consider the deeper roots of the unrest: longstanding inequality, systemic neglect and a lack of genuine representation. This reflection became a catalyst for action.

Over time, Edward’s response to these injustices took the form of public service and community organising. His involvement in initiatives such as Citizens UK introduced him to the power of collective action. In neighbourhoods often dismissed as fractured or apathetic, he saw resilience, leadership and the capacity for change. Community organising revealed a kind of politics that was driven not by ideology or partisanship, but by listening, relationship-building and a shared commitment to the common good.

At the heart of Edward’s work is a quietly persistent faith. His belief in God is not separate from his engagement with the world; it is what sustains it. Faith, in his account, is not a retreat from social problems but a way of responding to them. It informs how he understands dignity, justice and human potential. It also shapes how he measures success – not in terms of personal advancement, but in the opportunities created for others, particularly young people who face the same struggles he once did.

This integration of faith and justice reflects a broader Ignatian vision of vocation. In this tradition, vocation is not only about personal fulfilment, but about responding to the needs of the world in light of God’s love. It involves discernment – but also courage. Edward’s journey suggests that such a response often begins not with certainty, but with a willingness to act, to accompany others and to learn through experience.

One of the insights he shares is the belief that ‘how you do one thing is how you do everything’. This life lesson speaks to the importance of integrity — not just in public life, but in the small, often unseen choices that shape character over time. Integrity, in this sense, becomes a spiritual discipline, allowing actions to flow from a centre rooted in prayer, reflection and service.

Edward’s story raises important questions for any community engaged in the work of formation. How are young people being prepared not just for success, but for service? What does it mean to cultivate leaders who are attentive to the voices on the margins? And how can education, particularly faith-based education, support the growth of individuals who see justice not as an optional interest, but as a vocation?

These are not questions with quick answers, but they are central to the mission of Jesuit institutions and to the wider Church. Edward’s experience offers one response: a life shaped by faith, formed in community and directed toward the good of others.

Edward’s story is a reminder that formation is not merely about developing skills, but about cultivating vision – the ability to see the world as it is, and as it could be.

Listen to 'Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Man for All’; and to get all of our new episodes and catch up on our first series, subscribe now >>