\version "2.11.46"

%%%% Distribute line width evenly to all columns:
%%%% Solution by Nicolas Sceaux
#(define-markup-command (columns layout props args) (markup-list?)
   (let ((line-width (/ (chain-assoc-get 'line-width props
                         (ly:output-def-lookup layout 'line-width))
                        (max (length args) 1))))
     (interpret-markup layout props
       (make-line-markup (map (lambda (line)
                                (markup #:pad-to-box `(0 . ,line-width) '(0 . 0)
                                  #:override `(line-width . ,line-width)
                                  line))
                               args)))))

\markuplines { \column-lines {
  \line {\bold {Text der Messe / Text of the Mass}}

  \line {\bold "Kyrie eleison" }
  \column-lines {\columns{
    \column { "line 1"  "line 2" "line 3" }
    \column { "line 1"  "line 2" "line 3" }
    \column { "line 1"  "line 2" "line 3" }
  }}

  \line {\bold "Gloria in excelsis Deo" }
  \column-lines {\columns{
    \column { "line 1"  "line 2" "line 3" }
    \column { "line 1"  "line 2" "line 3" }
    \column { "line 1"  "line 2" "line 3" }
  }}

  \line {\bold "Credo in unum Deum" }
  \column-lines {\columns{
    \column { "line 1"  "line 2" "line 3" }
    \column { "line 1"  "line 2" "line 3" }
    \column { "line 1"  "line 2" "line 3" }
  }}
}}